A meager few Harlan Countains are living today who recall their first school days as a youngster in the second court house on Main Street. The "plank" building near the site of Scott's Store was built after the first one was burned during the Civil War.

Mrs. Louise Gilbert, mother of Dr. J.B. Jones, sat in the court house as a girl of 15 and read from the Blue Back Speller, 72 years ago. Her teacher, George Blackburn, was never one to whip his students but it was so humiliating for the boys to sit in the corner with the dunce cap upon his head.

The "Free School" was taught only three months out of the year, from July to September. Sometimes if enough students paid their fee, a "subscription school" was taught during the winter months.

Charlie Campbell was one of the early teachers in the court house. Mrs. Gilbert, better known as "Aunt Louise," was one of 10 children and the only one still living, who went to the school. Among some of the students attending were Green, Pearl and Sally Bailey, Ben Rice's children, John, Green and Will Ward.

20 Pioneer Families

At the time there were about 20 families living in Harlan. Henry Rice built the first"plank house" on Clover Street. Clover and Main were the only two streets and they extended only a short distance.

The 20 families were very close. They were almost like brothers and sisters. some of their houses were two story and built with double logs.

"Mother done all the cooking and baking on the grate until stoves were "bought on," Mrs. Gilbert said. The baker filled with hobbies of corn pones and sweet potatoes were mighty tasty for hungry children.

the pioneer settlers raised everything they needed for the table. They consulted their almanacs religiously for the signs to plant by. "We always make our soap in "The dark of the moon." she said.

"Speed Jones raised him two rows of tobacco every year for his own use and then come a damp day he'd twist it." Aunt Louise said as she relived those early days. He taught her how to twist the tobacco and she moved her hands as if turning the leaves

"He always put a pretty leaf on the outside," she said smilingly

No Christmas Stockings

"We always looked forward to Christmas but there were no gifts or stockings hung up and nothing said about Santa Claus or his reindeer," she reminisced. The children stayed neaar the kitchen because mother "set a feast on Christmas."

She made pies, cakes, baked hams and turkeys and of course there was always a large crock filled with icy boiled custard. The big family dinner was the extent of their celebration.

"Of course we had red stick cand and some horehound candy too,". She remembered one of the first stores and the bright red stick candy in glass jars. "My, how pretty it looked," she thought. About the only fruit was home grown apples.

"We had no churches when I was a child," Aunt Louise said. "Once in a while a circuit rider come to town and preached in the court house." The court house, which had elevated seats was usually packed"to the gill's."

Seats Begin Popping

One day preacher Barnes was delivering a sermon and as usual the court room was filled. The preacher and his wife and daughter sat near him on the elevated stage as he preached.

The seats in the rear began to pop and crack. Everyone became excited. the minister tried to calm his congregation by saying "steady now, steady now, steady now" over and over in a low soft tone.

His wife, who seemed to be the most excited "gave a lunge and loaped "out the window." his steady now appeal didn't have too much effect.

picture...ONE OF THE EARLY JONES FAMILIES---The Jones family was among the pioneer residents of Harlan county.Speed Jones, sitting left, was born in 1823. He was youngest of 12 brothers and sisters. During his life time, he planted a persimmon seed in his yard and told his small grandson, Dr. J.B.Jones that someday the tree would bear fine seedles persimmons and today it is still bearing them, seedless ones. Shown here sitting next to Speed is Carter Jones, unidentified boy, Dr. J.B. Jones, small girl Addie Jones Shanklin. Women standing are Mrs. Charlie Skidmore (left) and Mrs. Louise Jones Gilbert(right).

Sunday December 20, 1953

Volume 52 Number 296

Pages 1 & 8

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